A Luxury indochina Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia – Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Siem Reap, HCM City

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi (Welcome to Vietnam)

Arrive in Vietnam’s capital, where you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred to your luxury hotel for a two-night stay. Settle in and enjoy the lively energy of the city at your doorstep.

Day 2 Hanoi (History, Culture & Flavor)

Set out on a curated excursion that traces the heart of Hanoi’s culture and history. Explore world-class museums and temples, hear stories of resilience at Hoa Lo Prison, and glide through the Old Quarter’s maze of alleys on a cyclo, each corner alive with the hum of daily life that has echoed for centuries. Then take a short stroll to Phùng Hưng Street, where colorful murals on old railway arches celebrate Hanoi’s heritage and modern spirit.

As night falls, dive into Hanoi’s legendary street food culture on a guided foodie adventure. Pull up a plastic stool beside locals in the Old Quarter, sampling signature dishes like silky bánh cuốn, smoky barbecue skewers, and refreshing fruit desserts. End the evening at a hidden café with views overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, savoring coffee—or beer—as the city glimmers below. (B,D)

Day 3: Hanoi / Ninh Binh (Limestone Peaks & Rural Traditions)

Today’s adventure offers a vivid blend of Vietnam’s scenic and cultural charm. A landscape of karst cliffs and emerald rice paddies, Ninh Binh reveals pastoral beauty and centuries-old rhythms of rural life. Pedal through rice fields, glide by sampan into hidden caves, and discover dramatic limestone peaks rising sharply from the valley floor.

A two-hour drive in the comfort of your private vehicle takes you to Ninh Binh, also known as “Halong Bay on Land”. Here, you’ll hop on an e-bike gliding between limestone karsts, quiet village lanes, and emerald rice fields – experiencing far more of the region than a typical day trip allows. Visit the artisan hamlet of Van Lam, stop at Bich Dong (Pearl Cave), and ride toward Thai Vi Temple and the remnants of Hoa Lu—the 10th-century capital of the Dai Co Viet Kingdom—while your guide shares stories that bring this ancient landscape to life.

In the afternoon, step aboard a hand-rowed sampan and drift along the Boi River, flanked by sheer cliffs and mirror-still paddies. The boat slips through cave tunnels and beneath stone arches, offering intimate glimpses of riverside life: fishermen casting nets, ducks herded downstream, and farmers leading buffalo across the fields. Afterwards, check-in to your countryside retreat for a peaceful overnight stay. (B,L)

Day 4 Ninh Binh / Halong Bay (From Picturesque Landscape to Dreamy Seascape)

This morning, set out on a scenic four-hour drive to Halong Bay, renowned for its emerald waters and nearly 2,000 limestone karst islands rising dramatically from the sea. Upon arrival, step aboard your intimate luxury vessel and ease into a day of serenity and discovery. Cruise through enchanting waterways framed by soaring cliffs and secluded coves, each turn unveiling new vistas of breathtaking beauty.

Enjoy shore excursions to picturesque islands and ancient caverns, with opportunities to kayak or swim in tranquil lagoons. Onboard, savor freshly prepared lunch and dinner featuring regional flavors, accompanied by sweeping views of the bay. As evening falls, the calm waters and gentle rhythm of the ship set the stage for a night of quiet romance and deep relaxation. (B,L,D)

Note: Cruise routing and shore excursions vary slightly by vessel, though experiences remain equally captivating.

Day 5 Halong Bay / Hoi An(From Emerald Waters to Ancient Alleyways)

For the early riser, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck while tea, coffee and assorted pastries are served. Later, enjoy a final chance to kayak or simply relax on deck before savoring brunch on board. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport for your afternoon flight to Danang, then continue by private transfer to Hoi An, where lantern-lit streets and historic architecture welcome you for the next three nights. (B)

Day 6 Hoi An (A Living Museum)

This morning, take a guided walking tour of Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Free of most motorized traffic, the town invites you to stroll along lantern-draped lanes lined with merchant houses, temples, and bustling markets. Visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the colorful waterfront where fishing boats bob gently on the Thu Bon River. Along the way, sample local specialties such as green leaf cakes, and pause at a local tea house before returning to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to relax, dine, or continue exploring at leisure. (B)

Day 7 – Hoi An (Connect with the Locals)

Today, tailor your experience of Hoi An’s enchanting countryside with one of two immersive excursions:

Option 1: Countryside by Bicycle – Pedal through Hoi An’s serene countryside on a leisurely 5-mile ride past canals, rice paddies, and timeless hamlets. Along the way, meet friendly fishermen, try your hand at casting a traditional net, and continue on to Cam Thanh village, a peaceful haven embraced by coconut palms and bamboo thickets. This journey captures the essence of rural Vietnam in a gentle, immersive way. **Note: A similar program by Vespa is also available. Please inquire with your Vietnam travel specialist.

Option 2: Cooking Fun in the Countryside – Begin your morning with a drive to a riverside café for a refreshing cup of cà phê sữa đá. Continue to a bustling local market, where you’ll explore the scents, colors, and flavors of Vietnamese cooking while gathering ingredients for your dishes. Then board a boat for a short ride to Tra Que village. Here, try your hand at traditional farming, wander the village paths, or simply soak in the peaceful countryside before diving into your cooking session where you’ll join a local chef to prepare a few Vietnamese favorites; then sit down together for a farm-to-table feast celebrating flavors rooted in the land.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish—relax on the beach, roam the Old Town, or simply unwind by your resort pool. (B,L)

Day 8 Hoi An / Siem Reap (Journey to Cambodia)

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a final stroll around town before heading to Danang airport. Time permitting, stop at the Marble Mountains, where a brief climb up Thuy Son offers caves, hilltop pagodas, and broad coastal views. Continue to the airport for your afternoon flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for the next three nights, beginning your journey into Cambodia’s cultural and historical center. (B)

Day 9 Siem Reap (The Magnificent Angkor Wat & Beyond)

For those up for an early start, begin the day before sunrise, where the first light breaks slowly across Angkor Wat, revealing its towers in soft gold – a quiet and deeply atmospheric introduction to Cambodia’s most celebrated monument. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, venture into Angkor Thom, the former royal city, where the Bayon’s serene stone faces watch over grand processional terraces once used for imperial ceremonies. Continue to Ta Prohm, its corridors wrapped in roots and shadows, offering one of Angkor’s most evocative atmospheres. Later, return to Angkor Wat for an unhurried, in-depth exploration, appreciating its balanced design, narrative bas-reliefs, and the sheer ambition of this 12th-century masterpiece. Conclude the day with a sense of the scale and sophistication that defined the Khmer Empire. Lunch included. (B,L)

Day 10 Siem Reap (From Elephant Sanctuary to Floating Villages)

This morning, head to the foothills of Kulen Mountain for an unforgettable elephant experience. Spanning 1,100 acres of protected forest, the Kulen Elephant Forest is home to retired elephants who once carried visitors around Angkor’s temples. Today, these gentle giants roam freely and interact on their own terms. A relaxed 2-km observation walk offers quiet moments to watch the herd in their natural environment.

After lunch, embark on a culturally rich boat trip into the Kampong Kleang region of Tonle Sap Lake, one of Cambodia’s most traditional and least developed fishing communities. Here, weathered stilt houses, floating platforms, and family fishing boats reflect a way of life built on simple routines and deep reliance on the lake. Children paddle between homes, fishermen mend nets by hand, and modest floating farms sustain households—offering a rare, unfiltered glimpse into daily life lived almost entirely on the water. (B,L)

*For travelers seeking deeper history and art, the Kulen Elephant Forest may be substituted with visits to Banteay Srei & Banteay Samré, or with an insightful look into Cambodia’s war history at the Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRats project. 

Day 11 Hoi An / HCM City (From Ancient Capital to Big City Vibes)

 A short flight takes you to Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately called Saigon and long known as the “Paris of the East.” A city of striking contrasts, it combines timeless colonial architecture with cutting-edge towers, luxury hotels, and a vibrant street culture. Get acquainted with the city by visiting its iconic landmarks, including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and City Hall. Then, enjoy some souvenir hunting at the city’s famed Ben Thanh Market, a lively hub for street snacks, spices, and local crafts before hotel check-in. (B)

Day 12 HCM City (Cu Chi Tunnels)

This morning, take a short drive outside the city to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. First dug in 1948, this vast underground network grew into an elaborate 200-kilometer system stretching toward the Cambodian border. Serving as hiding places, communication routes, storage depots, and even field hospitals during the Vietnam War, the tunnels remain one of Vietnam’s most extraordinary historic sites. Here, you’ll have the option to descend below ground to experience the tunnels firsthand. The afternoon is yours to relax, shop, or discover more of Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace.

Day 13 HCM City (The Mekong Delta – Where Life Flows with the River)

This morning, escape the city for a journey into the heart of the Mekong Delta, where winding waterways weave through lush villages and daily life follows the river’s timeless rhythm. After a scenic 1.5-hour drive to My Tho, cruise past floating communities and visit a family-run fish farm to see how aquaculture has been sustained for generations. Step ashore on a tranquil island for a traditional beeswax workshop, a tradition lovingly passed down by local artisans.

Glide by hand-rowed sampan along coconut-shaded creeks as your guide shares stories of how these waterways once sheltered resistance fighters. Savor a garden-house lunch of Mekong delicacies, then continue your adventure by bicycle or buggy past rice paddies, fruit orchards, and mushroom farms, meeting growers and sampling seasonal produce along the way. Return to Saigon enriched with a deeper appreciation for the Delta’s enduring traditions and way of life. (B,L)

Day 14 (Farewell Vietnam)

 Your private transfer brings you to Tan Son Nhat airport, where your guide ensures a seamless departure for your flight—concluding a Vietnam journey of comfort, discovery, and unforgettable experiences. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Prices includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotels taxes & service charges
• Price excludes transpacific airfares, personal expenses, beverages and gratuities to guides and drivers.
• Holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners at hotels apply between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• Visas are required for Vietnam & Cambodia (E-Visas available). Not included in package.
• All services subject to availability at time of reservation